Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education
Non-Drinkers
Each spring, approximately 600 Denison students are surveyed about their drinking. In a recent survey, 27% of the students indicated they drank once a month or less. If these percentages hold true for the rest of campus, this means over 500 students drink infrequently or not at all. In addition, hundreds more students, while they may choose to drink, do not use drinking as the primary focus of their social life.
Among colleges nationally and on Denison's campus, the number of non-drinkers as well as the number of students who report non-problem drinking is increasing. It is important for non and responsible drinkers to understand that annoyances associated with excessive drinking do not have to be an accepted part of campus life. Problems such as noise, vomit, vandalism, and violence do not have to be tolerated. If you are experiencing these or other problems on campus, please talk with someone - your RA/HR, Area Coordinator, faculty advisor, the Office of Campus & Residential Life, or the Office of Alcohol & Drug Education.
As you know, Denison offers a wide variety of activities which do not
involve alcohol, but non-drinkers often report difficulty finding other
students who do not drink.
Please use this web page to contact others for whom alcohol is not a major part of campus life.
Also, a number of organizations around the country are addressing problems associated with excessive drinking, like the organization Had Enough?
Eight Rights of Campus Life
Too often, students living in residence halls believe they must accept disruptions, vandalism, and even harassment by intoxicated individuals as a part of college life. This is not true. A residence hall is everyone's home. Each student has the right to be treated thoughtfully, considerately, and respectfully.
- You have the right to sleep without being disturbed by someone who is intoxicated.
- You have the right to a study environment free of interruptions by an intoxicated person.
- You have the right to refuse to 'baby-sit' a drunk friend.
- You have the right to be free from unwanted sexual advances by an intoxicated person.
- You have the right to have your property and living environment free from damage by someone who has been drinking.
- You have the right to a clean healthy living space.
- You have the right never to be physically or verbally assaulted by an intoxicated person.
- You have the right to be free from sexual assault or acquaintance rape.Being Drunk Is Not an Excuse.
More Information
To Report a Problem:
- Call the Area Coordinator, HR, or RA
- Security - 6482
- Office of Residence Life - 6271
- Rape Survivor Advocates - 6366
- Campus Climate Advocates
- Counseling Center - 6647
*Adapted from the Rights of Passage at the University of Notre Dame